Open Chronicles Suds of Honor

[Tabitha Marshall]

The path of an angel was long and arduous, a path of virtue even in the face of unspeakable evil, courage in the face of death, dedication when others may grow lazy, charity toward the least fortunate, and humility to serve even when it hurt your pride.

It's the last one Tabitha found herself focusing on the day she heard of the carriage wash. A whole day of washing carriages to help fundraise for the Knights of Anathaeum. It was something the Paladins of the Gold Order would find more than a little demeaning. But if the Gods wished for her to humble herself, she would do so gladly!

That's how Tabitha found herself awkwardly pulling herself onto the roof of a carriage. She hadn't realized how freakishly tall the things were until she had to climb on top of one. But as the only one on her team with wings (such as they were) the job of washing off the roof was hers.

Sadly, it was only after she finished her climb that she realized she hadn't brought a bucket or rag with her. She stared helplessly down at her brethren and smiled awkwardly. "Hey uh! Could one of you please pass me a bucket? And a rag too?"

 

[Squires]

Thankfully more and more squires were showing up and Paffa's earlier mistake was seemingly fading into non-existence.. Hopefully. Her clambering onto the carriage didn't require it to be empty.

None of the others heard her request, but Paffa did! And Paffa -really- liked the angel. "I got you!" He would shout up.

The electric gnome would pull the sponge from his bucket and hop back, and chuck that sponge as hard as he could manage it...

Up.. and into the window of the carriage, pelting the random lady still within. She looked just as shocked as the Gnome did and when she looked to the source she would find naught but open space as Paffa clambered beneath the wagon.

As it were, he felt nobody saw it. Success.

Koro would climb partially atop the wagon to offer Tabitha a bucket and sponge. "Here, Tabitha." He grunted out.

Kenric would open the carriage door and helped the bewildered lady down from the carriage and direct her towards the table that Roki had the treats being made.

Tabitha Marshall

 

[Osuin]

Osuin continued to wash down the carriage, with swipes of his scrubbing cloth sending scattered water running off of the roof. The coachman stood beside the carriage as he did. Not that he was watching. He just stood there, slouched and staring off into space without a motion made.

Surely a servant of some sort, Osuin mused. Likely some enslaved, undead thrall without the faculties to do much beyond directing the carriage. Which seemed reasonable, else Victoria would have probably have him do the washing too. Or perhaps he had more autonomy than Osuin gave him credit for – maybe he could wash the carriage, but had just done a really bad job of it.

Distracted by his own musings during the washing, he'd given his positioning little regard. Once the roof had been cleaned, he hopped off from the step that allowed him to reach the roof. His tunic, now soaked and weighted with water, hung low enough off his body to get caught on an exposed corner on his drop to the ground. With the added weight of Osuin, the cloth gave way with a rip than ran nearly all the way up the side.

Well, that tunic was trashed. It wasn't an expensive tunic, but he didn't bother bringing another. Without much further care about the damage done to his shirt, Osuin began to wash the side of the carriage. One arm scrubbed away, with the frayed ends of the tunic on the torn side of it hanging off his muscular frame.

Victoria O'Connor Syr Galvanhad

 

[Lysanthir of Arapat]

Lysanthir stretches as he scrubs at the side of the carriage, and places one hoof on a running board to reach parts of the roof. Paffa, one carriage back, utterly soaks a customer, and Lysanthir bites his lip to cut off his laughter.

"Careful where you're throwing things, Paffa!"

The boy does wait for the next carriage as the first one pulls away, and seems to put out the effort to get their carriage as wet as possible.

At least one of you is enthusiastic, hopefully you'll all get into the swing of it soon.

Lorina complains, walking delicately, and again Lysanthir refuses to let his amusement show, while Tabitha makes her way to a carriage roof, asking for a sponge. Paffa rears back.

"Paf-!"

Bullseye. Out of the park, into the customer's face, and Paffa is gone.

Lysanthir leans against the carriage he is working on for a few moments to steady himself, then returns to his work, going to the other side of the carriage and scrubbing it with vigour. He brings up a tune, elevated and base all at once.

"Meso nukti, phulasso theatron oiko eimi monei, ekhtho einai monei en hespera~"

In his glad washing, rinsing the sponge to pay attention to every knurl and finial, he doesn't notice the knot at his shoulder loosening until half of his tunic slips free, hanging loose. With a scoff at the slippery old thing, he clutches the soapy sponge under his chin, wringing it down his chest in the process, and tries to re-tie it with his damp fingers.

"Ah, you useless..."

His attempt is futile, and instead of wasting time on his tunic, he unties it at the small of his back and pulls it free from his chest, revealing the rest of his tattoos, and drapes the tunic over one of the rinsing buckets. While he's there, he takes a very intentional moment to flex his back in full view of the visitors, tail flicking in amusement, before he returns to the task at hand, and the tune at tongue.

---

Tabitha Marshall Lorinna Astarel Squires Osuin

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

Victoria took the charm with a grateful nod and stepped over the threshold. Nothing barred her path, and she felt no ill effects from entering. Either the monastery was truly not a threat to her or the charm was doing its job (or both).

"I am grateful for your consideration, as I am for your discretion," she noted, taking a seat upon a cool reclined seat and pushing the stuffy hood off of her head. While her origins were obvious to the Knights in these walls, the world was full of very obtuse individuals. Her own lands were no exception, and she would prefer that her subjects not know of her true nature.

She would remain in the monastery until her carriage was fully washed. It would be so very nice to have a clean vessel to return home in. Cool stone walls were marvelous against the daytime glare, and so she rested peacefully.

 

[Syr Galvanhad]

"Enjoy your time here, m'lady. You're welcome and do let us know if you need anything." Galvanhad would say to Victoria with a bow. Once she was seated, he would head back outside.

Luckily for Paffa, Galvanhad would miss his killer throw. Instead, the Master-At-Arms would see the wash going a little more smoothly, albeit, two of the Knight-Sworn were now shirtless. He wasn't sure what prompted it, but he wasn't going to press the issue.

Stepping back out onto the drive, he would wave down the next carriage in line, this particular one driven by a man named Gary.

Directing it into another open bay, he would wait until the carriage came to a complete stop, then open the door. "M'lady." He would say to Brie as he offered a hand to help her down from the carriage. "Welcome to the first annual Astenvale Monastery carriage wash. We thank you for your time." He would say with a gentle smile. "Our skilled washers will be working on your carriage in no time, may I interest you in either relaxing in the cool Monastery, partaking of our homemade sweets, or some of the excellent people watching?" The last bit would be joined by a laugh.

Brie

 

[Polina]

A dark brow lifted on olive skin as the door opened and she saw the two shirtless one washing another carriage. Amusement sparked in her bi-colored eyes as they turned to the one that held his hand out. She took his proffered hand with her own.

She wore no-no sense clothes: soft leathers with a practical tunic and belt, with sturdy-looking boots. Long, dark hair tumbled in thick curls past her shoulders.

“Skilled indeed,” she smiled as she stepped down. “I am unfamiliar with this monastery and you’ll have to give me a tour. If time allows?”Brie was on a rare trip away from Kieran’s estate. And she didn’t travel much. Much less during the day due to her husband’s nocturnal schedule. So she hoped this knight was not offended by her lack of knowledge of their monastery.

In short, she didn’t get out much.

 

[Syr Galvanhad]

As she descended the steps of the carriage, Brie would notice the ornate all-black carriage being washed by a shirtless Osuin under a canopy. The older knight would help her down to the surface before taking her hand, adjusting his arm, and sliding her hand to rest on his forearm. "I would be honored to give you a tour, Lady..." He said with a warm tone as he waited for her to give her name.

"I am Syr Galvanhad, Master-At-Arms of the Monastery, and most you see within this courtyard, I have played a small role in training." He would guide her clear of the splash zone, as Paffa ran around the back of the carriage with a bucket.

"You are currently in the village of Astenvale. We live in the shadow of the Eldyr Tree and protect the area known as the Vale. This Monastery.." he would gesture to nature infused building that looked as if elves sang it to grow from the ground. "Is the oldest building here."

Brie

 

[Hector]

Hector nodded in response to Lorinna, picking up a bucket and sponge as he moved to the other side of the carriage.

Syr Lysanthir was really getting into things. Making a whole show out of the menial task. Bucket kicking, shirt wringing, tattoo flexing. It made the young man blush, laugh nervously, and he realized that there was little need to be so nervous. So, Lorinna and Tabitha and any other number of ladies would see him. What of it-

A cold splash of water crashed against him, and his pale tunic clung to his frame in an instant. His eyes were wide as water dripped from his nose and ears, and his mouth was agape.

Roki laughed from the table of baked goods. "Stop thinkin, start scrubbin!" his friend called out.

Hector looked down at his bucket and sponge. Another deluge of water spilled over the top of the carriage and soaked him once more. He shook it off, red in the face. But he picked up his sponge and started scrubbing all the same. The work, the flex of muscle and the movement of his body beneath the bright sun. He found himself smiling some, as Syr Lystanthir's tune floated through the air.

Grime gave way, and Hector found himself humming along. The muck on the Mistfall carriage was quickly coming away. "Don't worry, Miss," the soaked squire said as he worked a nook of the construction. "We'll get the grime off right away!"
He picked up his bucket and splashed out some water.

Lorinna Astarel
Lysanthir of Arapat
Amelia Rowe

 

[Osuin]

As he continued to scrub the side of the carriage, the motions made caused torn and water-weighted tunic continued to shift down the lone shoulder that now supported the garment. Osuin shifted his posture in an attempt to counteract the wandering tunic, before giving up outright and letting the soaked shirt slide off onto the grass with a defeated shrug of his broad shoulder.

Osuin made steady progress in washing the carriage. After each section, he picked up the pail of soapy water and moved to a new spot before soaking the wash rag and scrubbing again. Sudsy water dripped down the carriages exterior as he did, slowly making his way to the back of the carriage and along to the other side in continued actions to clean it.

Eventually he arrived back where he had begun, with nothing further to wash. With the first carriage complete, Osuin stood back to inspect his own work and ensure he didn’t miss anything. Not a spot had been ignored, and the carriage was now far cleaner than it had been when Victoria arrived.

He grabbed the torn tunic before he’d depart, not wanting to litter the ground with the garment’s remains. With it in one hand and the now empty bucket in his other, Osuin returned to refill it, coming across Syr Galvanhad on his way.

“You can let the lady know her carriage is washed.” Osuin called out, continuing on.

Victoria O'Connor Syr Galvanhad

 

[Polina]

“Brie,” she offered her name when he asked. Surprise and amusement flickered across her face at his ease in giving a lady a tour. And their successful navigation away from the splash zone. As if he’d done this a thousand times before. He reminded her of a knight from a storybook.

She didn’t think they existed.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, taking a moment to appreciate the roots and vines twisting along the building. And it was. Perhaps she should travel more? She’d have to talk to Kieran about it when she got back.

A glance to Osuin then back to Syr Galvanhad. She’d seen the other carriage and now curiosity got the best of her. “Who else has stopped upon this merry band?”

@Victoria O’Connor

One blue and one green eye looked around, sweeping the area.

 

[Syr Galvanhad]

"An honor then, Lady Brie." Galvanhad would say in his gentle tone. No sooner then they had begun to admire the oldest building of the Monastery had Osuin come to inform them of another successfully washed carriage. "Perfect, thank you Syr Osuin. We shall go and let her know.. keep an eye on Paffa, yes?" He would ask with a smirk.

With another bow of his head to Osuin, he would pull the door open for Brie to let her inside. "Lady Brie, you may enter." He could sense the corruption around her.. it was similar to that of Lady Victoria, but different. She wasn't a vampire but she lived with one.

Once inside, the nature infused stone would almost immediately cool away the heat of the outdoors. The main hall bore several statues, each one representing an area of study, rather than a certain Knight. "These are statues of our founders, though you will see no details. It isn't to detract from their importance but to instill in each squire the hope that they can live up to the teachings, not the accolades. We have no exclusions here, so even our tiniest myconid squire can reach our greatest heights." As he spoke, it was hard to tell if it was with conviction, or pride in what he served. Perhaps, it was both.

He would take in a measured inhalation, before exhaling slowly. Calmly. "Tell me, my Lady, what sort of work is it that you do?"

Brie

 

[Polina]

She offered her Knight escort a confused and questioning look at his formality to enter. But she didn't say anything. Perhaps he was just being...overly polite? He more than seemed that type. Hand and arm slipped free from his own as she looked around. head tilted back as she stopped briefly in front of each statue, hands clasped loosely behind her back as she wandered.

"I didn't see many women out there." Just the one with the wings. Though, she hadn't been paying too much attention. She'd been so focused on where they were and her escort. "I'm assuming woman can also become squires and knights?" And she had to wonder if she'd escaped from the responsibilities of her noble family prior to meeting Kieran, if she would've found herself at a place like this?

Dirtying skirts and running through fields.

Throwing daggers and gambling.

The things she'd always loved and her parents had done everything to discourage. They'd forbidden her to learn knife throwing but she'd done it anyway.

 

[Syr Galvanhad]

His gaze would shift to the outdoors, and a thought crossed his mind, likely many of the girl squires outsmarting the boys. That thought would bring a smile to his lips. "On the contrary, we have a good number of female Knights.. my granddaughter is one of our two female Knight-Captains." He would say, his gaze shifting back to Brie.

"Anybody can become a squire regardless of gender, race, or station. Our knighthood isn't bound to nobility, but to strength of character. In fact, you could arrive tomorrow and tell us you wished to join. I would test you and place you depending on your skill." His hands once more clasped behind his back. "A quick diversion and then we will continue on with the tour. This way, Lady Brie." He would say with a bow of his head and turn to exit through a nearby door.

Crossing the threshold into the Knoll, he would offer Victoria O'Connor a warm smile. "My lady, forgive my interruption but I am here to inform you that your carriage has been masterfully cleaned, detailed, and remains in its most perfect order."

Brie Victoria O'Connor

 

[Tabitha Marshall]

Tabitha smiled when Paffa heard her request, holding out her hand to catch the sponge when he tossed it... Only for the sponge to fly through the carriage window instead. Judging from the sound, it smacked the poor noblewoman right on the face. She grimaced. "Sorry ma'am! That was my fault." At least, in the grand scheme of things.

She'd contented herself with having to climb back down and then climb back up once she'd found the necessary tools when Koro climbed part-way up and handed her a bucket and sponge. "Thank you Koro!" He helped the noblewoman too, what commendable chivalry.

Finally, with the right tools, she soaked her sponge and got to work scrubbing the roof of the carriage. For some reason a couple of the male knights below shed their tunics. It wasn't that hot out, was it? She shrugged and carried on.

Squires Lysanthir of Arapat

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

"Wonderful, thank you Syr. I must say you accommodations have been most generous. Please give my thanks to the hard working youths of your order, for this and other... considerations."

It was rare to find those sympathetic, or at the very least not openly hostile towards vampires. Rarer still to find an order of self-proclaimed "knights" showing that tolerance. She had politely declined the refreshments offered to her, though they had been thoughtfully chosen. Victoria was particularly choosy and preferred blood to almost every other food source, but others of her kind may have enjoyed the sweet fruits and cool water. She had even noted that the small cuts of meat looked curiously raw... a kind gesture indeed.

A moment after Syr Galvanhad opened the door a most wonderful scent hit her nose. Young, high class, human blood, hot and running close to the skin in the sun's heat. She caught a glimpse of Brie through the open door, and nodded with a glint in her ruby eyes.

 

[Polina]

Syr Galvanhad and Victoria O'Connor

“Granddaughter,” brows rose. “You must be very proud.” She wouldn’t have guessed his age. Perhaps knighting kept the body fit and youthful beyond age.

Brie paused suddenly at the beauty with red hair. There was something about her that reminded her of Kieran Harrovian. Skin as pale. And those eyes. Kieran showed glints of red and gold when he was angry…

“Gorgeous hair,” Brie blurted. And smiled unashamed, offering the other woman a little toodle-wave of her fingers.

 

[Syr Galvanhad]

"Not a day goes by that I do not know pride in her nor my students." He would say warmly to Brie.

When the crimson-haired lady spoke Galvanhad would bow his head respectfully to Victoria. "They will be gladdened to hear of your praises. We strive to be open to all peoples. You've already been invited in, your presence is always welcome within these walls." He wouldn't say anything else to out her in front of Brie. Many probably hadn't guessed her.. occupation nor would he broadcast it. But the look would continue his words: So long as you respect our guidelines.

"Lady Victoria, may I introduce you to Lady Brie." He would say as he stepped deeper into the Knoll and held the door wider for both women to get a good look at each other.

His gaze then shifted back to Victoria. "If you have yet to eat, I will make sure that you have something for the road."


Victoria O'Connor | Brie

 

[Victoria O'Connor]

Victoria's sanguine lips curled playfully up at Brie's sudden compliment, though she remained slightly reclined and at ease.

"Gratitude, Syr, but I am sated enough for my return journey. What of you, Lady Brie? Could I tempt you to share in the offering the Knights have made for me?"

She waved an ivory hand over the small platter of fruits and meats.

"You have been touched by a much stronger sun than Alliria. What has taken you away from such warmth?"

Indeed, Brie's tanned skin and thick, dark hair was exotic for this place. Her blood sang of hot nights and cool waves. Victoria would not sully her welcome by tasting that blood here. In lieu of that, let the girl provide conversation.

 

[Squires]

Paffa was ruined! His dreams dashed of helping his angelic love! Instead, he hid in shame beneath the carriage. An easy feat for a gnome. Lost in his broken heart, he would regale the undercarriage in a song of his people, sung in gnomish, of course. A dirge for a broken heart.

"No problem, Tabitha." Koro said with a friendly grin, before he hopped down and began to re-clean the area he had stepped on. The Orc squire paused as he heard singing from beneath the carriage. "Huh?" He would crouch down and see.. the third most depressing sight of the day. The other two were firmly in the loving embrace of Pollocks face. "Oh! Singing and working. Not uhh.. not bad." He would slide a bucket and sponge under there. "Good idea!"

While those three worked on completing that carriage, Narynn, Esteban, and Kenric would begin to work on the next carriage. They were already singing a song as they worked, the one that Lysanthir had begun. "Meso nukti, phulasso theatron oiko eimi monei, ekhtho einai monei en hespera~"

Lysanthir of Arapat | Tabitha Marshall

 

[Syr Dorn]

Life was good. Gorm had arrived and brought with him a cask of his Brambleshell brew, a hoppy-citrusy blend. And it was phenomenal. Not only that, the old battleaxe got to see the Squires do what they do best: mess up.

Pollocks had eaten the stone drive several times as he tried to wash the tops of the carriages then stop onto the wet surface. Each time, with the same result. He was currently pulled off to the side for healing by Syr Josai. Paffa, that little gnomish bastard couldn't stop getting the passengers wet. At least Tabitha, Koro, and Hector were the bright spots he expected them to be. Lorinna, of course, thought she was above the wash, Narynn too. But they were still arselings.

Thankfully the Order was saved by the strong cornerstones of Syrs Lysanthir and Osuin, who had now found this particular moment to be the one where they decided to strip down in front of squires. Classic. Probably would come up at the next meeting.

Gorm handed him a tankard and the two clanked them together. "I see the runts are hard at work." Gorm started with a hearty laugh.

"Probably the hardest they've had to work all year." Dorn cracked as he laughed with the old Dwarf. Two old shits taking enjoyment from the suffering of others.

That was when Dorn felt a presence settle beside him. A withering gaze would focus on the source, the young dragonborn squire, a toddler, Vyumash. The young hatchling offered Dorn a loving, toothy, and innocent smile. One full of hope, and could melt the heart of the coldest frost giant. But not Dorn. He flicked the little reptile in the snout and he squeaked before running back into the Monastery. He may have tripped due to his large head throwing him off balance. Dorn didn't know, he was too busy laughing with Gorm.

 

[Meepo]

With the lines moving orderly and not so many mistakes being made, Meepos tail flicked voctoriously from side to side. Today justice had won a great battle in the proverbial battle of financial evil.

Osuin had finished Victoria's carriage and soon another was quickly pulling up. From his perch, he could see Paffa, going above and beyond as he scrubbed the undercarriage... BRILLIANT!

"Second wave! For the Vale!" He would howl in excitement and pointed to the new carriage. "Get the underside for Syr Osuin!" A small Myconid, Syr Gi, would be pushing a bucket along the stone, as the smallest Knights of the Order set to help the Hunk of the Order battle the forces of grime.

What a glorious day!

Osuin

 

[Luna Shael]

Luna tentatively (yet gracefully) approached Syr Osuin and Syr Meepo when the next carriage drove up. In one hand she held a bucket of soapy water while in the other she had a sponge. She nodded in greeting when she reached them. Making a point to retain eye contact with the shirtless Osuin. "Good day Syrs. Might I assist you in your washing?"

A familiar snarky laugh distracted her. Syr Dorn, her mother once called him a 'blight upon Anathaeum and Arethil as a whole.' She'd tried to think the best of him before. But his behavior went far beyond simple rudeness and crossed the line into thuggishness. Wielding threats of further cruelty to deter others from avenging the wrongs he so willfully inflicted on others. He had not even come to aid them in their humbling task. Only to stand and laugh like a court jester while the rest worked.

She frowned and in a rare moment of impulsive childishness, conceived of a plan. She peered over her shoulder for but a moment. His attention was elsewhere for the moment. She soaked her sponge in the bucket and (still the grace of a knight) flung it over her shoulder so that it would land smack against the top of Dorn's balding head.

Syr Dorn Osuin Meepo

 

[Syr Dorn]

Dorn and Gorm basked in the sunlight, the Dwarf looked just beyond the old man and his lips moved, his gaze following to Luna.

Dorn would drain his tankard then lift it up... over his head, and catch the sponge in the freshly empty tankard. He would shift over to look at Luna. "It will be hard for you to wash without your sponge, Arseling." He dumped it out into the ground beside him. "Now make yourself useful, whelp." God's she was useless, one of the Knights who didn't earn their swearing. A sure sign that the Order was getting desperate.

Luna Shael

 

[Polina]

"You can more than tempt me," a genuine smile of whites flashed as she joined Lady Victoria on a seat of her own. Legs crossed and she began picking at the platter of foods, popping a juicy grape in her mouth. "Why don't you join us?" She looked up at Syr and invited him over.

Syr's comment about the lady having yet to eat and there being a platter of food available only confirmed her own suspicious.

Bi-colored gaze flickered back to the sexy redhead. "Marriage," she chuckled lightly. "Grew up on the Cortosi Coast and now I'm living in the heart of the coldest mountains in all the land." She took one of the more done pieces of meat and took a small bite. Chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. "Sometimes I miss the smell the air has living so close to the sea. It's almost like you can taste the salt on the wind."

Bright gaze shifted back to Victoria's pale face. Those golden eyes of hers. "Do you travel this way often?"